SONA 2025: Marcos to keep tabs on flood control projects

Metro Manila, Philippines - Frustrated at the fate of millions suffering from floods, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed to personally address the perennial problem despite billions of pesos poured into projects — a topic met with standing ovation in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 28.

He ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways to immediately submit “all flood-control projects from every region that began or were completed in the last three years” since he assumed office

“The regional project monitoring committee shall examine that list of projects and give a report on those that have been failures, those that were not finished, and those that are alleged to be ghost works,” he said.

He said the list will be published for public scrutiny. He said an audit and performance review regarding the projects will be conducted, vowing that those people found to be at fault will be slapped with cases.

“Mahiya naman kayo sa mga kabahayan nating naanod at nalubog sa mga pagbaha,” Marcos told those allegedly involved in corruption of flood-control projects.

“Mahiya naman kayo lalo sa mga anak natin na magmamana sa mga utang na ginawa ninyo noong binulsa niyo lang ang pera,” he added.

[Translation: Be ashamed of our countrymen who lost their homes due to floods. Be ashamed of our children who will inherit the debts after you put public funds into your pockets.]

Three consecutive tropical cyclones — “Crising,” “Dante,” and “Emong” — enhanced the southwest monsoon, or habagat, and triggered heavy rain that caused massive flooding in many areas of the country.

Disaster management officials on Monday said nonstop rains in the past week have killed 31 people.

Failed water districts, joint venture deals warned

Marcos also issued a warning against local water districts and their joint venture agreements that failed to provide proper service, affecting around six million consumers.

He did not specify any water provider but his remarks came after the report of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) on the operations of Villar family-owned PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation that operates a number of water districts in the regions.

The Marcos administration reviewed PrimeWater’s service performance amid mounting complaints from consumers nationwide.

“Titiyakin ng LWUA na mailalagay na sa ayos ang serbisyo ng tubig ng milyon-milyong kababayan at gawing mas abot kaya naman ang presyo,” Marcos said.

“Higit sa lahat, titiyakin na mapapanagot ang nagpabaya at nagkulang sa mahalagang serbisyong publiko na ito,” he said.

[Translation: The LWUA will make sure that water services will be fixed for millions of consumers, making it affordable. And most of all, it will hold into account providers that were neglectful and lacking in this public service.]

P20 rice nationwide roll-out

Marcos said the government will roll out the P20-per-kilogram rice project on a nationwide scale by next year. The P20 rice was his campaign promise.

The president said his administration allocated around P113 billion for the Department of Agriculture to strengthen its programs for next year, including the nationwide expansion of the subsidized rice program.

He warned erring rice traders that his government will file economic sabotage cases against them, if they continue to manipulate prices or buy farmers’ palay at very low prices.

Marcos also asked Congress to amend the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act.

On health, education

Marcos listed expanded benefits from Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, covering medical services for heart-related problems and kidney transplant, among many others.

But the president touted the “zero balance billing” policy, meaning patients in Health Department-run hospitals can avail of facilities services free of charge.

He, however, did not say anything about the HIV response amid the recommendation of Health Secretary Ted Herbosa for a declaration of public health emergency.

For education, Marcos said his administration will add more school counselors, as well as build 40,000 classrooms by the end of his term.

The president also said public school teachers will receive laptops, while noting that there were “no anomalies” in their procurement.

The Department of Education under Vice President Sara Duterte faced backlash last year for its failure to deliver on the gadgets in 2023.

No mention

Some of the topics that were not mentioned in Marcos’ fourth SONA were:

+ Online gambling. After last SONA’s ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, many Filipinos awaited an official statement from the president on rampant online gambling. A number of lawmakers have filed bills seeking to regulate or ban online gambling.

Meanwhile, Marcos vowed to go after those behind the case of missing sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts — either civilians or government officials.

+ Legislated wage hike. In the earlier part of his speech, Marcos said the government is working to provide jobs to the unemployed, but no mention on wages. Sen. Risa Hontiveros said she and other lawmakers will be pushing for a legislated wage hike in the 20th Congress.

+ West Philippine Sea. He just said that the foreign policy remains: “the Philippines is a friend to all. The Philippines is an enemy to none.”

+ International Criminal Court. Malacañang in June said the president is open to talk on possibly rejoining the court.

+ Issues linked to the Dutertes. The arrest and detention of former President Rodrigo Duterte at an ICC facility in the Netherlands, and the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.